USDA Signs Agreement Mobilizing $235 Million in American Commodities for East Africa Food Aid

Washington, D.C., July 14, 2026 - Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced an agreement in principle with Catholic Relief Services to deliver up to $235 million in emergency food and nutrition assistance to millions of people facing extreme hunger and malnutrition in Sudan and Ethiopia.

Authorized under Title II of the Food for Peace Act, this effort mobilizes more than 110,000 metric tons of U.S.-grown agricultural commodities. Under USDA's Farmers First strategy, all commodities distributed through these programs will be of 100 percent U.S. origin - securing domestic supply chains and ensuring American farmers remain the backbone of global emergency response.

"American farmers feed, fuel, and clothe the world, and under President Trump's leadership, we're utilizing that bounty to serve those in need while ensuring that the benefits of U.S. food aid flow back to America's hardworking farmers, ranchers, and producers that make this assistance possible," said USDA's Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering. "We're also enforcing strict accountability so that aid goes to those who actually need it, safeguarding hard-earned taxpayer dollars, and delivering aid that builds self-reliance instead of long-term dependence."

The agreement leverages Catholic Relief Services' operational footprints in East Africa, including the Sudan Emergency Project and the Joint Emergency Operation in Ethiopia.

This initiative follows the transfer of the Food for Peace Title II program to USDA, which is moving quickly to return the program to its core function of delivering lifesaving food assistance that directs economic benefits back to American producers.